Archive | October, 2012

Scott Stockreef, 18, went salmon fishing with his dad, Bart, and his brothers Will and Austin, at Tippee Dam in Manistee area the weekend of September 28 and caught seven large salmon. His largest catch was 28 pounds! “His dad is an avid fisherman and taught his boys well,” said Scott’s mom, Mary Stockreef. “Scott actually caught more fish than dad this time around!”

The Department of Natural Resources recently announced its November schedule of volunteer stewardship activities at state parks and recreation areas in Southwest Michigan. There are plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and help protect the habitats at these recreation destinations. Volunteering for these workdays is a great way for campers, day users and local residents to Go Get Outdoors, breathe some fresh air, have fun and get a bit of exercise while enjoying fall’s beautiful scenery.

Activities vary by park and include invasive shrub removal and native seed collection—a great family activity. Registration is required for seed collection events. No experience is necessary, and training and equipment are provided.

Volunteers should wear appropriate clothing for outdoor work (including long pants and sturdy closed-toed shoes) and bring gloves and drinking water. For information about the activities at each workday, directions or park information, or to check the Volunteer Steward calendar of events, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers, and select the Calendar of Volunteer Stewardship Workdays.

Contact Heidi Frei at 269-685-6851 ext. 147, or email freih@michigan.gov for registration or questions about the Volunteer Steward workdays.

Workdays are held each weekend at select parks in Southwest Michigan.
More outdoor fun and exercise is available through the DNR’s Recreation 101 program, which provides expert instruction to budding outdoor enthusiasts by offering free, hands-on training in over 100 different activities. Learn about participating or becoming an instructor, at www.michigan.gov/rec101. The DNR also offers ongoing nature programming; check out the schedule at www.michigan.gov/natureprograms.

Law takes effect March 2013

The Department of Natural Resources today announced that new, free hunting and fishing licenses will be available for disabled veterans beginning in March.

House Bill 5292, signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder earlier this week, will allow a disabled veteran to obtain any resident hunting or fishing license for which a lottery is not required, free of charge. The veteran will be required to provide proof of eligibility and carry this proof when using any license obtained under this legislation. Under provisions of the law, the new licenses become available at the beginning of the next license year, which is March 1, 2013. The licenses cannot be obtained before that date.

The law defines “disabled veteran” as a resident who either has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and entitled to veterans’ benefits at the 100-percent rate, for a disability other than blindness; or is rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as individually unemployable.

“Providing free licenses for disabled veterans is just a small token of our deep gratitude for their sacrifice for all of us,” said Denise Gruben, manager of licensing and reservations for the DNR. “We want veterans to be full participants in outdoor sports. We’re pleased to make these licenses available to qualifying veterans beginning next March under this new law.”

Oct. 27: Halloween Festival for all ages at East Nelson UM Church, 9024 18 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs on Saturday, October 27 from 6-9 p.m. Games, snacks, haunted house, costume contest! Trunk or treat in the parking lot. Car trunks packed with treats for the young ones. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the party! Sponsored by the C.I.A. (Christians in Action-Youth Ministry)

Oct. 30: Pine Ridge Bible Camp will be holding its annual Family Harvest Celebration on Tuesday, October 30. Come anytime between 6pm-8pm to check out the decorated cabins and enjoy a night out with the family. This is a free family event that includes wagon rides, puppets, games, gospel magician and a trip through treat town for some candy. Pine Ridge is located just 5 miles east of town on 17 Mile Rd. Call 616-696-8675 for more information.

Halloween/Harvest Party

Oct. 31: The Cedar Springs Library invites all PreK children to a Halloween/Harvest Party with the animals at the Double K Farm on 5815 – 18 Mile Rd. from 10:15 to 11 am. Come and enjoy stories, treats and a craft! The animals invite you to join them in wearing a costume, if you like!

Cedar Springs Spooktacular

Oct. 31: The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, businesses and churches in Cedar Springs are sponsoring the annual Main Street Halloween Spooktacular on Wednesday, October 31. Lots of fun going on! To enter the costume contest, post a photo of your child’s costume on the Chamber’s facebook page: www.facebook.com/CedarSpringsAreaChamberOfCommercecsacoc by Oct. 31, and they must check in so they can receive their prize at the library. Storytime at the library begins at 4:30pm. People can pick up their maps of participating businesses, as well as check in for the costume contest, at the library. Trick-or-treating will be from 5pm to 7pm. There will be hot dogs for sale next to the Cedar Pub. There will be a carnival by the Calvary Assembly of God next to D&J nails. The Springs Church, at the corner of Maple and First, will be holding Trunk-or-Treat from 6pm-8pm.

Traffic Squad/Fire Department

Oct. 31: The Kent County Sheriff Department Traffic Squad will be providing cider, donuts and candy at the Cedar Springs Fire Department on Maple Street from 5:30 to 7:30 while supplies last. Chief Marty Fraser will have the fire building open and staffed during this time period.

Trunk or Treat at The Springs

Oct. 31: When kids are out trick-or-treating in Cedar Springs, they can swing by The Springs Church for Trunk-or-Treat from 6-8 p.m. There will be lots of candy for the taking, games, a giant slide and a petting zoo! For the adults there will be hot chocolate, cider and donuts. It will be fun for the whole family, and a safe, well-lit environment for kids. The church is located at 135 N. Grant St., in Cedar Springs.

Oct. 31: The Sand Lake Fireman’s Association will host their annual Halloween festivities at the fire station at 2 Maple Street in Sand Lake. Call 636-8854 for more info.

Pioneer Club Carnival

Oct. 31: Everyone is welcome to the Pioneer Clubs Carnival on October 31 from 6-8pm at Rockford Reformed Church (4890 Eleven Mile Road NE – corner of 11 Mile and the Beltline). There will be pizza, games, prizes, candy, and a special guest – juggler and street performer Will O! Costumes welcome! Invite your family, friends, and neighbors!

Police are seeking to identify a body that was discovered after a barn fire Tuesday morning in Sheridan. Photo from WOODTV.com.

A body was found among the debris of a barn that burned early Tuesday morning just south of Sheridan.

The Sheridan Fire Department responded to the fire at 2:34 a.m. to 6681 S. Sheridan Road (M-66) north of Sessions Road. Several other area fire departments also responded to the scene.

Later in the morning the Sheridan Fire Chief contacted the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office to report that they had located a body in the building. Montcalm County Detectives were immediately dispatched to the scene and the State Fire Marshall was requested to assist.

According to a report in the Greenville Daily News, the property belongs to Phebe Wilson, the mother of state senator Judy Emmons. She told the Daily News that they didn’t know who the person in the barn was.

When Keith Coalter and his family had a good crop of pumpkins this year, they decided to do something nice for people this Halloween—they set a trailer of pumpkins at the corner of 457 N. Main and 18 Mile, with a can for people to drop cash into when they picked out a pumpkin.

“We had them at half price of what you would get them for in the store,” explained Keith.

He said they had no problems for about a month and a half. And then, this week, someone stole the money from the can. He’s now moved the trailer back to his home in Nelson Township. Keith sent us a message he would like to get out to the person who stole the money.

Attention Pumpkin money box thief:

My family provided pumpkins for sale at 457 N. Main St., at a very low price to help ease the cost of Halloween during the poor economic times. We would like to thank all of our customers for their honesty and purchases. Our money box was stolen on Monday, 10/15/12, from the trailer with pumpkins. I know who you are. The video camera recorded it all. So I would like to give you the opportunity to make things right, or I will have to expose you to the public. I’m sure your family and friends will be proud to see what a destructive thief you are! So here`s your chance to settle up. Give me a call at 616-520-7076.

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